My genoa has no leech line.

[KompetentKrew]

My genoa has no leech line, but it does have the receptacle for it, suggesting it has become damaged at some point:

Is this what's causing this flapping, please?

When I took this video I had just adjusted the leech line on my mainsail, and found the loss when I went to do the same on the genoa.

Does replacing the leech line require a sailmaker, please? I initially assumed that the leech line would need to be sewn into the leech of the sail, but looking now perhaps it goes into these pockets down the genoa's leech? I guess the top of the leech line may need to be sewn in, or should I expect to find a loop to tie it to?

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[neil_s]

Had same problem on my old headsail. I managed to thread a new one in using a long 'bodkin' (not sure of the correct word!). I made my own using a piece of old wire coat-hanger with an eye bent into one end. A tedious job - the material is so stiff, you only get a few mms with each push. At the head of the sail, the leach line comes out of the leach tabling through a hole and is tied to a loop of webbing sewn to the sail. The old leach line chafed through where it exited the sail - so a bit of plastic tube or some other chafe protection might not go amiss!

 

[greeny]

Can you use one of the electricians feeder tools / snake. They are quite stiff, made of a type of plastic and come in various lengths. One should push up the leach quite well assuming the hole is big enough to take it. Not expensive to buy and useful later for doing wiring jobs.

 

[jwilson]

On your video 99% of the problem is sheeting angle, not leech line. Sailing like that is steadily destroying your sail. You need to move the car forward. You do need a leech line, but it's purpose is to stop the last inch or two of the sail fluttering, and should not be overtightened. Sorry to rant but I hate to see sails set really badly.

You should be able to feed a new leech line in from the top, sewing or otherwise attaching it at the top and working it down the sail with a big blunt needle or piece of wire. Or take it to a sailmaker.

 

[RichardS]

My genoa has no leech line, but it does have the receptacle for it, suggesting it has become damaged at some point:

Does replacing the leech line require a sailmaker, please? I initially assumed that the leech line would need to be sewn into the leech of the sail, but looking now perhaps it goes into these pockets down the genoa's leech? I guess the top of the leech line may need to be sewn in, or should I expect to find a loop to tie it to?

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

I've never looked at mine that closely, but logic would suggest that it is only attached at the top. I think mine runs in a pocket which is the full length of the leech rather than through individual pockets but the result would be the same, more or less.

Richard

 

[Buck Turgidson]

My genoa has no leech line, but it does have the receptacle for it, suggesting it has become damaged at some point:

Is this what's causing this flapping, please?

When I took this video I had just adjusted the leech line on my mainsail, and found the loss when I went to do the same on the genoa.

Does replacing the leech line require a sailmaker, please? I initially assumed that the leech line would need to be sewn into the leech of the sail, but looking now perhaps it goes into these pockets down the genoa's leech? I guess the top of the leech line may need to be sewn in, or should I expect to find a loop to tie it to?

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

jib car forward and come off the wind a point. You're pinching there, look at the front of the jib.

 

[wilkinsonsails]

Some remnants may still be in the tabling .Follow along the hem and see if you can find where it broke .Unpick hem and fish it out Feed in another one under the webbing loop and join it , if you find an end further up .
it does look as though the sail needs some TLC from a sailmaker,
stitchIng is coming adrift on the webbing straps .It’s likely to be less than 50 quid to sort it .

 

[KompetentKrew]

Thanks very much all, particularly @jwilson and @Buck Turgidson

I now wish I'd paid more attention to sail trim when I was crewing for other people.

I think I tried the genoa further forward, but I guess I was trying to point too high.

 

[William_H]

There is nothing wrong with pointing too high provide you do not lose too much boat speed. ie point as high as you can get away with. A said however try the sheet car a bit further forward may help the leach flutter.
Leach flutter is a pain. It is caused by mass at the trailing edge of the sail. The equivalent in aircraft is a real concern and can demolish a wing or control surface in seconds.
The use of a leach cord to tension the trailing edge to stiffen it is to me horrible as it produces a hook in the trailing edge when seen by airflow. But they still seem to be popular. Other ways to manage flutter is with use of leach battens not much good if you want to roll the sail up.
I have modified my most used no 3 jib by cutting away the whole leach into a concave shape. The trailing edge is just heat sealed no hem or fold over. The concave shape by about 3 cms over 5 metres of leach plus the fact that now there is little mass at the trailing edge seems to have fixed the flutter. I am not sure if I have ruined the sail but have used it a lot last season this way (racing) and will use it again next season.
If OP wants to replace the leach cord he needs a way of getting it into the exit hole near the bottom cleat. As said use a safety pin or bent piece of wire to push it up the slot. When you get near the top unpick the fold over of the leach until you get the new leach cord. Bring it out and sew the end down along with resew the fold over. Usually the leach cord would stop about 60 cms from top. ol'will

 

[Praxinoscope]

As it looks as if the sensible and useful advice has been given, I humbly apologise for lowering the tone, but each time I read the title of this thread I can't help thinking it is the start of an old music hall gag.

' My Genoa has no Leech line'
'How does it sail?'
'B****y awful!'

 

[Norman_E]

If you can get it there just take that sail to Wilkinsons at Faversham. Cindy has replied to you above, and will give you honest advice as well as repairing that sail for you. She was very helpful to me when I needed parts to take to my boat in Turkey. Wilkinson Sails | Faversham
If you cannot get to Faversham find a local sailmaker who can re-stitch where needed as well as fit a leech line. It looks as if you have a fair bit of failed stitching and need a new leather strip to protect the clew.